In The News
J.K. Rowling One of 50 Greatest British Post War Writers
J.K. RowlingThe Times newspaper has compiled a list of the top 50 greatest British writers since 1945, and J.K. Rowling was ranked at number 42. Noting that children read the Harry Potter books "simply because they love them, and because Rowling has an extraordinary ability to hold the reader until the very last page," the paper continues:
"She has created a world that children want to enter and never leave.Like all the classic British children’s fantasy writers, Rowling sets the epic firmly in the domestic, everyday world. Yes, she uses some familiar elements (show me the “literary” author who hasn’t borrowed themes from previous literary authors), such as wizards, witches, boarding schools and orphans destined for greatness, but she builds a new and very detailed world out of them. With its satires on politics, education and the media, though, her world is far from simplistic. These are well-told stories that will enthral, amuse, scare and delight children for generations to come. One to read: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997) — because you should always start a good story at the beginning."
Others of note on the list include Philip Pullman (43), Roald Dahl (16), C.S. Lewis (11), J.R.R. Tolkien (6), George Orwell (2), and Philip Larkin was listed at the top spot. Thanks MFC and Klooby!
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I agree she should be ranked a bit higher. I see it as the same old snobbery for children’s books. She’s not REAL literature… yet.
-Kio (aka Klooby)
On one hand, I was immediately surprised that she wasn’t ranked higher.
On the other hand, there are a lot of great authors in that list.
On a third hand, I don’t really agree with any of their placements. Phillip Larkin? Really? But then, they do more or less admit the fallibility of their system.
Finally, I bet there are some HDM fans who will be upset that Jo topped Phillip Pullman by one.
Post-War is a fairly large period by now and you hardly can compair the period till ‘80 with after ‘80. It’s compairing peaches with pommagrates and wonder which is the greatest fruit.
But when populairty is taken in account she could give Tolkien a run for his money.
I was really disapointed that she didn’t rank higher. She should be at least round 25, in my opinion. J. K. Rowling has brought a generation back to reading through her fantastic books, and that’s saying a lot. I only started reading seriously after I found the Harry Potter series. I jumped on board after book four. Since then I have read tons of books from almost every genre, and have not found anything nearly as good. But that’s jut my opinion.
I agree I hate it when people think “children’s authors” aren’t worth mentioning. I don’t think Jo is a children’s author anyway. Her books are for absolutely anyone of any age. She should have come higher in that list. Philip Larkin? Hmm I don’t like their top choice. But the rest of the list looks OK. some good writers on there.
Yesss! Take that, Philip Pullman!
Ahem. Excuse me. Very well done, Jo.
She’ll always be my number 1 =)
Anyone know if this was in the paper today?
I’m not complaining. This is 42 out of how many authors since 1945. Yes her accomplishments are amazing and I would like to see her higher on the list, but 42 when looking at the big picture is huge. Anyways, that’s just their opinion.
Wow, she’s in the arena with some really great writers and she really deserves it! Way to go Jo!
Larkin got number one which is joke, the man tortured me threw my A Levels. I think JK got a pretty good position, considering the others on the list. Give her a good couple of decades and our generation will put her higher because she is the writer of our childhood. I’m just gla they’ve recognised her. There where lots of other authors who should have got on it, Anthony Horowitz, Malorie Blackman..what about Terry Pratchet?
Philip Pullman and Jo should both have been placed higher on the list, right up there with Tolkien.
All lists like these are silly. What does it all mean ? That “Lord of The Rings ” is a better book than “His Dark Materials” ? Or does it mean that it is better written ? Or does it mean that Tolkien is a better writer ? In whose opinion ? And use the same formula for any of these other writers. By the way, rather strangely, the list excluded what it called “oral writers” such as Harold Pinter but included Ted Hughes, whose wonderful poetry, (especially if you ever heard him read it) was the stuff of thunder and lightning.
I am glad for Jo that she made the list but we don’t need lists like that to tell us who our favourite authors are.
i think she was placed properly… her stories are top-notch, no joke, but her writing leaves a little to be desired sometimes. congratulations, jo.
It would be nice if JK should be higher but sure enough, there are a lot of great writers on there and we cant say they snob childrens authors because there are a fair share of them on the list. But I am shocked to find Terry Pratchett not on there. Before JK, he was the no 1 best selling author and has written over 40-50 books. I am also surprised Geoffrey Arthur not on the list either. Also Joan Aitken was a great children/adult author (well in my view, anyway). Some of my favourites on there though: Phillipa Pearce, Roald Dahl, Iain Banks, Philip Pullman, CS Lewis.
i dont agree with the selections!!!! Jk should have been at least from the top ten : Jk number 5 JRR number 6!!!! My two favourite authors!!!!!!!
WHAT Only 42nd!? She should be WAY higher up! You cannot have J.K. Rowling at 42nd and Tolkein at 6th! J.K. Rowling’s book are just as good, or even better than C.S. Lewis’s!
Seriously
What I find interesting is comments on the The Times website. If anyone mentions Rowling it is mostly negative saying she doesn’t deserve to be in the top 50 and that her work will be forgotten in a decade. I find these comments so shocking since she is by far the most popular author in the world. I know that my children will read the Harry Potter series and the series will not be forgotten. It sounds like jealousy to me.
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Leaky Poll
Moving the HBP film to July 2009 is:
- Completely unforgivable75 (39%)
- Annoying, but I'll get over it75 (39%)
- Not something I care about.9 (4%)
- Cool; who wants to go to the movies in the winter anyway?3 (1%)
- Awesome! I get to save $10 until next year.10 (5%)
- Awesome! I get to save $10 because now I'm skipping this movie!9 (4%)
- I've made a Facebook group, started a protest, called my local councilman, staged a sit-in, started a boycott, and organized a million-fan march because we won't stand for the - wait, what was this about again?9 (4%)
She should be ranked way higher, but oh well I suppose the phenomenon is still fairly young in literary terms, so I am sure she will move higher up the list as time goes on.